8 Match Star Ratings For WWE SummerSlam 2020

5. Mandy Rose Vs. Sonya Deville

Dominik Mysterio Seth Rollins
WWE.com

In which the minimum was a maximum very few others are capable of.

Marred by the most understandable circumstances, what you'd like to think was set for the epic duration and the big headline angle was instead cut short. Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose showed tremendous bravery just by showing up, and WWE, one would hope, didn't burden them with too much in a rare display of compassion. It was a compromise; they finished this chapter of the story in an incredibly admirable and professional showing.

Worked with more commitment than the dangerous energy that put over their angles so well, as a walk and brawl, the tempo was compelling enough, though an early spot, in which Mandy laboured forever to set-up a table and was punished with a steel chair to the gut, again symbolised WWE's institutional inability to not make their babyfaces look dumb.

The gulf in quality revealed itself at times - Deville carries herself with a far more authentic aggression and credibility - but in a generous reading, this is in effect the story. Deville is better, but Rose is better than Deville belittles her to be, which helped put over the spirit of Rose's comeback spots.

In a neat spot better than the hollow trope it so often is, Deville went for Rose's finish out of desperation - and a respect she'd deny to herself - before Rose won with a barrage of knees.

It was good, not great, when good seemed inconceivable last week. In the most challenging era ever for the pro wrestler in-ring, this was one of the most impressive matches.

Star Rating: ★★★

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!